Ramanathan*, Edward Lovaka and K. Thiyagarajan have one thing in common – all of them use pouches permanently. Yet they lead a near-normal life.
At 38, software professional Ramanathan plays cricket. He underwent a surgery 11 years ago to remove an infected colon. Since then he wears a pouch to drain solid waste from his body. Mr. Lovaka, 62, underwent urostomy nearly four years ago and though he is on dialysis, is his cheerful self. He says now his monthly medical bills are in the range of Rs. 70,000.
Mr. Thiyagarajan, 68, was diagnosed with rectal cancer which resulted in removal of his rectum in 2007. He uses pouches that he must clean twice a day but has taken it in his stride. “You need a mindset to accept these changes,” says Mr. Thiyagarajan.
Ostomy is a procedure by which an artificial opening is created in a person’s abdomen for excretion of faeces and urine. Following the life-altering surgery procedure patients need guidance to lead a normal life.
Doctors say people with cancer, road accident victims and children with congenital defects need such surgeries.
Unlike cancer patients and accident victims, children could return to normality as they grow old and undergo corrective surgeries. But till then, families must be taught to accept the patients and provide them support.
And that is what people like C.A. Saroja do. The 72-year-old retired nurse from Government Stanley Hospital is the only trained entero-stomal therapist in the State. She not only teaches patients and their family to maintain pouches and hygiene, but also counsels them. She has trained two persons – R. Sundararajan and R. Kirthivasan, who travel across the State to teach patients and offer psychological support to the families. They also run an informative website, www.stomacare.co.in.
“They travel extensively up to Bangalore and Puducherry. But they can do only so much. We nurses learn the basics of anatomy and physiology and can offer the therapy,” she says.
“Very few nurses show interest in learning the skill as there is no incentive. Though such therapists are needed mostly for cancer patients, there are very few even in hospitals treating cancer exclusively,” she says.
Government Stanley Hospital recently set up a clinic to offer free of cost products for ostomy patients with funds earned under the Chief Minister’s Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme by the gastroenterology department, according to its head G. Manoharan.
